Literature is the best and sometimes the best literature is not presented in a classroom. Quirky and coy, sometimes content is awkward; therefore, you can read these honest book reviews before cracking the covers. This website contains Google Analytics and AdSense cookies to track marketing information, such as, clicks on links and views.

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Monday, October 18, 2010

Sleepy Hollow: Andrew Walker and Tim Burton

Released in 1999, the same year as the movie, "the Art of Sleepy Hallow" is an excellent book. Occasionally, it is more entertaining than the movie, which was also exciting. Beyond illustrations by Tim Burton, the screenplay gives insight into how professional screenplays are written. A person can envision the making of "the Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Tim Burton is a famous director, producer, writer and artist from California. The illustrations and video stills are enlightening. It shows how he sketches the visual properties and translates it into a film set. Both the illustration and finished town gates used on the set are almost identical. Through various sketches and storyboards, Burton essentially created the whole town of Sleepy Hallow.

Andrew Kevin Walker graduated from Penn State University with a degree in film and video. Walker also won awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Though the recommended format for screenplays is plain, white paper a person can see the fine details and placement of the various elements: header, blocking, speaking parts and so-on. Some of these terms are illusive, yet seeing, "INT (Interior)," "EXT (Exterior)" and "FLASHBACK" used appropriately clarifies the construction of a Hollywood script.

The story itself is intriguing. Originally, Ichabod Crane is a schoolmaster who happens upon the town of Sleepy Hallow. In this movie, Ichabod Crane is a detective who is sent to Sleepy Hallow to solve several mysterious deaths. Therefore, the story is transformed into a murder mystery; wherein, a paranormal phenomenon could be involved in killing townspeople. The tale of the Headless Horseman being a Hessian Mercenary remains similar to the original short story by Washington Irving.

Even the villain also has a happy ending. This makes the story unique. Screenwriters, writers, film directors, actors and anyone interested in Hollywood will enjoy the book. People in general, will also find the story and artwork interesting. The story has various insights. The images are a mixture of realism and contemporary artwork, so there is something for everyone.